2004 is almost over and it is time to make some Project Management resolutions/goals for the New Year. In looking back over the past year I can see where I have made some mistakes, and I see these mistakes as learning opportunities. Now is the time to resolve to make changes in how I manage my projects.
My 2005 resolutions are:
Be a better listener
Apply the principles of Earned Value to more of my projects
Begin each project with the end (deliverables) in mind
Rely less on e-mail and more on face-to-face conversations
Be a better Project Leader
Accept the fact that criticism from others is part of the project life cycle
Be willing to accept failures and use them as learning experiences
Believe that most people on your project team are doing the best they can do
Be positive, enthusiastic, and supportive of others
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Sunday, December 19, 2004
ProjectSteps
ProjectSteps has been updated with a bright white font so the site is more readable. I have vacation this week so I will be busy working around the house and enjoying the Christmas holiday.
Have a very Merry Christmas
Have a very Merry Christmas
Monday, December 13, 2004
Can you hear me?
Do you manage your projects mostly from your desk? Are you falling into the trap of managing projects via e-mail, voice mail, fax, letter, and failing to communicate with your customers and stakeholders face-to-face?
People value one-on-one conversations. A project manager that doesn't spend significant time on his or her project speaking directly to their customers will not be as effective as the one the takes the time to conduct meetings in person.
As project managers we are selling "experiences" and "solutions". Can you effectively sell your ideas as a faceless e-mail machine? Can you "WOW" your customers with tired voice mails and bland status reports?
Good customers want to see you as much as possible. They want to feel your enthusiasm, experience your excitement, and have you tell them eye-to-eye that "it’s all good".
Don’t cower (and sour) behind your keyboard sending status reports and e-mails and think your are doing your job. You can't gain your customer's trust unless you speak with them one on one.
As Tom Peter says, "If there is nothing special about your work...you won't get noticed, and that means you won't get paid much either".
It is hard to get noticed when people can't see you. BE VISIBLE!
People value one-on-one conversations. A project manager that doesn't spend significant time on his or her project speaking directly to their customers will not be as effective as the one the takes the time to conduct meetings in person.
As project managers we are selling "experiences" and "solutions". Can you effectively sell your ideas as a faceless e-mail machine? Can you "WOW" your customers with tired voice mails and bland status reports?
Good customers want to see you as much as possible. They want to feel your enthusiasm, experience your excitement, and have you tell them eye-to-eye that "it’s all good".
Don’t cower (and sour) behind your keyboard sending status reports and e-mails and think your are doing your job. You can't gain your customer's trust unless you speak with them one on one.
As Tom Peter says, "If there is nothing special about your work...you won't get noticed, and that means you won't get paid much either".
It is hard to get noticed when people can't see you. BE VISIBLE!